Is the use of technology for superficial and vain reasons becoming more common?

[Aezi]

I was reading about a surgical procedure that people go through in order to become taller. In layman's terms, apparently they have a surgeon break their leg bones, separate the two pieces with braces, and then ultimately wait months for new bone to grow in between the separated pieces.

This procedure reminded me of how vain people can be, and it also reminded me of students who use ADHD medication, and even in extreme times, Alzheimer's medication in order to improve their ability to study.

I was wondering if anyone else had any strange, startling instances of technology being used for superficial and vain reasons.

 

[rootX]

I don't think anything ever goes in vain. People want and technology gives.. If no one wants then certainly that would go in vain, but if no one wants, no can sell.

 

[Danger]

That's a really tough question. Any self-improvement technology could be considered 'vain', including antiperpsirants and toothpaste. If I recall from my original introduction to the bone-elongation technique, it was meant for the rehabilitation of people who suffer from osteo defects. That would make it a valid medical procedure.

 

[Astronuc]

I was reading about a surgical procedure that people go through in order to become taller. In layman's terms, apparently they have a surgeon break their leg bones, separate the two pieces with braces, and then ultimately wait months for new bone to grow in between the separated pieces.

I wouldn't call it vain for someone who wanted to be more normal.

This procedure reminded me of how vain people can be, and it also reminded me of students who use ADHD medication, and even in extreme times, Alzheimer's medication in order to improve their ability to study.

Perhaps they were making up for what they consider a disadvantage.

 

[f95toli]

I was reading about a surgical procedure that people go through in order to become taller. In layman's terms, apparently they have a surgeon break their leg bones, separate the two pieces with braces, and then ultimately wait months for new bone to grow in between the separated pieces.

As far as I know that procedure is never used for "cosmetic" surgery; it is used to treat conditions where the skeleton does not grow normally or e.g. one leg has become significantly shorter than the other for some other reason (injury). It is by no means risk-free (risk of infection) and it is EXTREMELY painful.
Also, the bone does not grow "in between", the bone only grows normally as long as the two "ends" are actually touching. This means that the distance has to be increased gradually; so in effect you have to break the bone many times (again, painful).

 

[Danger]

the bone does not grow "in between", the bone only grows normally as long as the two "ends" are actually touching. This means that the distance has to be increased gradually; so in effect you have to break the bone many times (again, painful).

Oh, yes. I remembered that the procedure was excruciatingly painful, but not why. Depending upon the case, that multiple breakage might have to be performed over the course of several years.

 

[mgb_phys]

Oh, yes. I remembered that the procedure was excruciatingly painful, but not why. Depending upon the case, that multiple breakage might have to be performed over the course of several years.

Perhaps that explains America's confusion over torture ?
They consider the rack a cosmetic procedure.

 

[WhoWee]

I find it disturbing that so many young athletes want a majic pill to enhance performance, whether it's steroids or faux-steroids, or (snake oil) formulas of wide variety. I don't think it's vanity...more of a shortcut. The same is true with the many diet formulas.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Having a roomie who is entirely too into pornography I learned that there is a new fade, mostly among porn stars; bleaching of the anus. To make it look pretty you know. :-/

 

[Danger]

there is a new fade, mostly among porn stars; bleaching of the anus. To make it look pretty you know. :-/

I don't care what kinks other people have, but that's definitely not one of mine. Unlike most cats, Lucy struts around with her tail straight up in the air. That is more anus than I care to see in a lifetime. (And to rub it in, I have to scoop out her litter box.)

 

[Aezi]

As far as I know that procedure is never used for "cosmetic" surgery; it is used to treat conditions where the skeleton does not grow normally or e.g. one leg has become significantly shorter than the other for some other reason (injury). It is by no means risk-free (risk of infection) and it is EXTREMELY painful.
Also, the bone does not grow "in between", the bone only grows normally as long as the two "ends" are actually touching. This means that the distance has to be increased gradually; so in effect you have to break the bone many times (again, painful).

Apparently people in Southeast Asian countries use it to gain a few inches of height in order to qualify for jobs and to gain a boost in self-confidence.

 

[Flat]

I find it disturbing that so many young athletes want a majic pill to enhance performance, whether it's steroids or faux-steroids, or (snake oil) formulas of wide variety. I don't think it's vanity...more of a shortcut. The same is true with the many diet formulas.

I find it disturbing that people give credit to athletes accomplishments to the "majic pill" rather than the long hours and hard work it took to get there.

 

[WhoWee]

I find it disturbing that people give credit to athletes accomplishments to the "majic pill" rather than the long hours and hard work it took to get there.

I agree with what you are saying.

My problem is that many young people (my teenage son and ALL of his friends) believe that steroids are necessary for peak performance. Recently, one of the local boys purchased a snake-oil type steroid formula on-line and his parents were lucky enough to intercept. I've spoken at length with the other parents (and coaches) and we now have a consistent message to the kids.

Rather than just say "steroids are bad" or "look what happened to that guy", we've adopted an educational approach regarding their bodies...human growth hormone levels, nutrition requirements, effects of exercise and weigh training on muscles (how the process works), etc.

When an issue arises such as caffeine boosters or creatine supplements, we address the specific issues from the stand point of how the chemicals work and the downsides. At the end of the day, I want the kids to make an informed decision. If we are thorough, and explain the risk/rewards, they will avoid the shortcuts (and hopefully the snake-oil rip offs).

 

[drizzle]

isn’t that kind of procedures are dangerous, would people be able to run again as they used to?

 

[Danger]

"steroids are bad"

I experience 'roid-rage all the time; I get mad as hell when I can't sit down.

 

[Redbelly98]

I experience 'roid-rage all the time; I get mad as hell when I can't sit down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPHHz_QMDY

 

[junglebeast]

http://www.revirgination.net/

 

[Danger]

Awesome response, Redbelly.
Junglebeast, that actually isn't something new, although few people have heard of it. English doctors in the 18th-19th centuries used to offer the service for brides-to-be who had previously compromised, and to hookers who could charge extra for it. As I recall, one woman had it performed over a dozen times.

 

[Aezi]

Having a roomie who is entirely too into pornography I learned that there is a new fade, mostly among porn stars; bleaching of the anus. To make it look pretty you know. :-/

Sorry, I know this is a nearly two-year-old thread that I started, but LOL to this reply. I just rediscovered it. <3

 

[chiro]

I know there are uses like say fire victims, birth defects and other things but I just can't get my mind around people have multiple surgeries like tummy tucks, liposuction, facelifts, new breast upgrades and so on. Its insane! Some of them end up coming out looking like Frankensteinian monsters and think they look better than before. Bahhh...

 

[mugaliens]

As far as I know that procedure is never used for "cosmetic" surgery; it is used to treat conditions where the skeleton does not grow normally or e.g. one leg has become significantly shorter than the other for some other reason (injury). It is by no means risk-free (risk of infection) and it is EXTREMELY painful.
Also, the bone does not grow "in between", the bone only grows normally as long as the two "ends" are actually touching. This means that the distance has to be increased gradually; so in effect you have to break the bone many times (again, painful).

My neighbor shattered his right femur, loosing about 3 inches of it in the process. They're regrowing his bone, but holding the ends apart via "scaffolding" so he can walk on it (at least on the scaffolding). He says each end is covered by some sort of cup which tricks the bones to grow back together.

 

[Danger]

In what I consider a new procedure (within the past 10 years or so), they make a sort of cement or paste out of powdered bone in a matrix of something like collagen to fill areas of breakage. The newly forming bone grows right into it and incorporates it into it's own structure.

 

[vish_al210]

Would you consider hair transplant a vain use... I wldn't dare say that to a 15yr old male/female who lost hair due to typhoid//medicines etc...
Cosmetic dentistry, try saying that to a person(what about age or sex.. that's immaterial) who was assaulted by vandals who shattered his teeth...
Skin grafts or plastic surgery.. say that to a burns patient or to one who was burned by acids.. maybe accident or an act of anger by someone else... try telling them...
The bone extensions..well try esplaining to a guy/girl who get bullied or jeered by the so called normal (jerks) kids for their lack in height...
If you are blessed enough to have a healthy//complete body.. Well may God(whatever form u believe or let's just say DNA or nature if u are a so called atheist) bless you more.. You are lucky... But ask the value of an eyelid, a finger, an ear, an eye, an arm, well any thing that you have and don't value to someone who has to do without one or more of these things that we consider 'Normal'..
Spare a thought.. What is in vain.. well every moment of life i spend iwthout purpose is vain... So go ahead shoot me down... Hey I wasn't serious about the shooting part... ;) Spare me a thought too.. And by the way I am thankful that I have not had the need to go through any of the treatments mentioned above inc the bleach ... ;)

I think that it was some fractional time spaced random choice that made me who I am.. what separated, in me being who I am today and may be being a spastic, an autistic, a deaf, mute, blind, one with limb defects, hole in the heart, etc... I don't know... But I am thankful... and see everyone as a possibility that I could have been and me as one that everyone could have been... Look I mean no offence to any person with special abilities or not.. just that it is easy for the queen of France to say - Why all this worry of no bread.. tell them to eat cake or the likes...(It is only a literary reference, I did not know the queen. So it is nothing personal against the queen and no responses to the conspiracy theory either.. please)

Take care..
Merry Christmas or well wishing everyone a wonderful year ending...